Start Of Viprino Trial Delayed

BARNSTABLE – The trial of a Harwich man facing a slew of rape and weapons charges that was set to begin last week has been delayed and has yet to be rescheduled.

Barry D. Viprino, 43, was arraigned on and pleaded not guilty to 46 charges in March 2024. Those include one count of aggravated rape, 19 counts of rape, five counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14, one count of kidnapping, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of witness intimidation, one count of possessing a large-capacity firearm, and 15 counts of possessing a large-capacity feeding device for a firearm.

But Viprino’s trial, which was scheduled to begin Feb. 2 in Barnstable Superior Court, has been held up as he searches for new legal counsel, according to court records. 

The charges stem from alleged offenses involving a total of seven victims dating back to July 2023. Viprino initially pleaded not guilty in November 2023 in Orleans District Court on 11 counts of rape, one additional count each of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over and possession of a large capacity firearm related to alleged incidents with three of the seven victims. He was arraigned again in March 2024 on additional charges brought against him by four more victims. 

Police and prosecutors say the alleged assaults occurred in different locations, including in the back of Viprino’s truck and a garage space that Viprino used as an office. In another incident, it is alleged that Viprino held a gun to the head of one of his children for being disrespectful to one of the victims. 

Viprino has been held on $200,000 bail since his initial arraignment in 2023. According to court records, attorney Matthew Bober withdrew as Viprino’s legal counsel in November. Days later, Viprino, representing himself, filed a motion for “relief from improper bail,” which was denied. A motion to reconsider the bail relief was again denied on Dec. 1.

At a hearing on Dec. 16, Viprino was deemed to be “indigent,” and it was directed that he be assigned “stand by” counsel. A hearing has been set for Feb. 23 to address Viprino’s counsel status.